Tips on Preparing for the Transition to In-Home Care

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Is Your Senior Ready for In Home Care in Portland Maine ME

Admitting the need for assistance around the home can be difficult for many seniors. They may feel as if their independence is being taken away, which could lead to anger, resistance, and sadness. However, there are steps family caregivers can take to make the transition to in-home care easier for seniors. Here are some of the things caregivers can do to help their senior loved ones prepare for in-home care.

Discuss the Transition Early

Do not wait until it’s time to choose a caregiver to begin discussing the process with your loved one. Instead, start preparing him or her for the transition as early as possible. The moment you know you require additional help, let your loved one know. Explain why this is happening, and detail the many benefits he or she can receive by having an in-home caregiver. Family caregivers can reassure their loved ones that the new in-home caregiver will do just as good of a job as they have done.

Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same home care services. Portland families can rely on Align Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

Keep Your Loved One Involved

Involving your loved one in the decision can ease the transition. You will be showing your loved one that his or her opinions truly matter. Instead of seeing his or her independence being taken away, your loved one can look at in-home care as a way to ensure safety. Make sure to keep your loved one in the loop when choosing a professional caregiver. Family caregivers should make it a point to let their elderly loved ones know their opinions are valued.

Share Caregiving Duties Initially

Instead of having the in-home caregiver take over completely, allow him or her to come in and observe your current routine first. Family caregivers should take their time with the transition and share caregiving duties with the professional in-home care expert for a few days, or even a week. The in-home caregiver will be able to meet your loved one, as well as other family members and friends. Being in the home at the same time as the new caregiver may provide your loved one with a greater sense of security.

If you are the primary caregiver for a senior family member and want additional assistance from a professional caregiver, Align Home Care is here to help. Our caregivers are available for a few hours a day to help seniors with daily tasks, and we also offer 24-hour live-in care for those who need more extensive assistance.

Focus on What Your Loved One Can Do

Many seniors have difficulty with the transition to in-home care because they feel as if they’re being treated like children instead of adults. However, family caregivers can ease those negative thoughts by pointing out what their loved ones can still do without assistance. For example, if your loved one points out what he or she needs help with, you can change the focus by highlighting what he or she is good at, such as decorating the home, painting, doing needlework, or gardening. Focusing on what your loved one can do may make him or her feel more valued and less dependent.

Hiring in-home care services is one of the best ways to ensure seniors enjoy a high quality of life while aging in the comfort of home. Although it may be challenging to find a reliable, highly rated elder care agency, Portland, ME, families can turn to Align Home Care. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise. To learn about our high-quality in-home care plans, give us a call at (207) 835-3490 today.

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